This course introduces students to deep community engagement using the constructivist theory of communication which is applied in engaging with aging elderly, some of whom may have dementia and related elderly malaise, at St. Luke’s Eldercare and Yishun Community Hospital. 

Students are required to apply the constructivist’s four elements of functional communication competence, in the context of the Humanitude care methodology, prioritising inter-generational engagement. Using reciprocal engagement and learning relationship complemented with constructivist communication strategies, students develop awareness of the communities’ needs from the perspective of individual’s agency. Assessments include portfolio, service participation, attitude, and contributions.

Remark: GEN2006 is a course that involves student interaction with elderly individuals from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, many of whom may not speak or be fluent in English. For engagement purposes, while a basic understanding of spoken Mandarin, Chinese dialects, Malay, or Tamil can be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite for GEN2006. Students who speak only English will not be unduly disadvantaged in this course.